BOMBARD. A piece of ordnance, anciently in use before the introduction of more complete cannon with improved gunpowder, propelling iron balls. Its bore, for the projection of stone shot, sometimes exceeded 20 inches in diameter, but was short; its chamber, for containing the powder-charge, being about as long, but much narrower both within and without. There were also very diminutive varieties of it. It has been vaguely called by some writers _basilisk_, and by the Dutch _donderbass_. Used to assail a town, fortress, or fleet, by the projection of shells from mortars. It was also the name of a barrel, or large vessel for liquids; hence, among other choice epithets, Prince Henry calls that "tun of man," Falstaff, a "huge bombard of sack." Also, a Mediterranean vessel, with two masts like the English ketch. BOMB-BED BEAMS. The beams which support the bomb-bed in bomb-vessels. BOMB-BEDS. _See_ BED OF A MORTAR. BOMBO. Weak cold punch. BOMB-SHELL. A large hollow ball of cast-iron, for throwing from mortars (distinguished by having ears or lugs, by which to lift it with the shell-hooks into the mortar), and having a hole to receive the fuze, which communicates ignition to the charge contained in the shell. (_See_ FUZE.) BOME-SPAR [a corruption of _boom_]. A spar of a larger kind. BOMKIN. _See_ BUMKIN. BONA FIDE. In good faith; without subterfuge--_Bona fides_ is a condition necessary to entitle to the privilege of pre-emption in our admiralty courts. BONAVENTURE. The old outer mizen, long disused. BONDING. _See_ WAREHOUSING SYSTEM. BONDING-POND. An inclosed space of water where the tide flows, for keeping timber in. BOND-MAN. A harsh method in some ships, in keeping one man bound for the good behaviour of another on leave. BOND OF BOTTOMRY. An authority to borrow money, by pledging the keel or bottom of the ship. (_See_ BOTTOMRY.) BONE, TO. To seize, take, or apprehend. A ship is said to carry a bone in her mouth and cut a feather, when she makes the water foam before her. BON GRACE. Junk-fenders; for booming off obstacles from a ship's sides or bows. (_See_ BOWGRACE.) BONITO. The _Thynnus pelamys_, a fish of the scomber family, commonly about 2 feet long, with a sharp head, small mouth, full eyes, and a regular semi-lunar tail. BONI-VOCHIL. The Hebridean name for the great northern diver (_Colymbus glacialis_).